Fish Targets Indian Wells Return

American world number 32, Mardy Fish, aims to make his comeback onto the ATP Tour at Indian Wells this March, six months after withdrawing from tennis with a heart condition.

Fish, a former top-10 star, has seen his ranking plummet in recent months and has not played a competitive match since retiring in the third round of the US Open with the condition.

He has spent a long time with medical experts over the past half year hoping to solve the problem, and has now been given the all clear to play again.

“It’s definitely been a long road back for him,” Fish’s agent, John Tobias, told the tennis betting news on Wednesday. “He’s had his ups and downs. But he’s beginning to really get his confidence back.”

So, how far can Fish go in Indian Wells? The 31-year-old earned a bye for the first round last season but is unlikely to use this; he won just one match before crashing out to Australian, Matthew Ebden.

He hasn’t passed the third round since making the final in 2008, where Novak Djokovic won a convincing third set to win the crown 6-2 5-7 6-3.

Fish cannot afford an early exit this season, for he needs games under his belt to develop match sharpness and fitness. He no doubt has the hunger after waiting six months for a return to court and must start strong in his first-round tie this March.

After Indian Wells, Fish will play Miami later in the month before taking stock of his future in the game. Fans with an in-play bet offer are sure to back the American to perform to his usual high standards but with this heart condition lingering over him there is no knowing how Fish will fare on his return.